When the need for an alfresco tipple strikes, we've got some top watering holes that are perfect for soaking in the sun throughout summer or cosying up at come winter.
Make sure you check out our top choices of bars with outdoor seating in Manchester; from huge beer gardens and swanky terraces to sky-high rooftop cocktail picks.
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Both one of the best outside restaurants in Manchester and a great place for alfresco drinks, The Anthologist proves it's much more than just the venue featured on Channel 4's First Dates. Choose between dessert cocktails, other unique pours and full gastro meals here.
If your idea of a perfect pint involves sunshine, greenery and a canal-side breeze, Nell's Kampus should be high on your list. Tucked away in the Kampus garden neighbourhood, this New York-inspired spot boasts one of Manchester's best beer gardens, a lively stretch of outdoor space where frozen margaritas, craft beers and giant 22” pizzas keep the good times going.
Weekends here buzz with DJs, summer parties and festivals, while Christmas turns the garden into a party playground. Add in the laid-back vibe, friendly crowd and unbeatable setting just a stone's throw from Piccadilly station, and you've got the ultimate outdoor hangout in the heart of the city.
Once a 19th-century lock keeper's cottage, this building has seen a transformation into one of Manchester's quirkiest hangouts. Combined with their unique list of beers, wines, spirits and killer cocktails, Lock 91 provides the perfect place to sip a tipple with views over the water.
The Woodstock Arms has a mega amount of outdoor space thanks to its sprawling beer garden. Behind the bar, you'll find craft ales, plus a wide choice of wines or spirits, while pub meals come in the form of beloved British classics and hearty sharing plates. Cheers.
20 Stories is one of the most stunning rooftop bars in Manchester, shaking things up with the changing of each season. That means cosy winter pergolas across the cooler months and English garden-inspired botanicals in the summer, all topped off with inventive menus and live entertainment.
The Good Rebel's south facing, picnic bench-packed beer garden is the perfect summer suntrap or autumnal escape from the city streets. Tucked away on Mealhouse Brow, it serves up a strong selection of craft beers, along with cocktails, worldly wines and high-class spirits that you don't often find elsewhere.
Weather taken a turn? Worry not. There's plenty more bench seating inside - and the bar's even closer.
Looking for an affordable bar with outdoor seating in Manchester? Slug and Lettuce boasts its very own terrace space complete with reclining wooden deck chairs. Order a couple of cocktail jugs, kick back and chill out, knowing you're not breaking the bank.
A handpicked selection of wines and carefully crafted cocktails are paired with a huge terrace at this Mosley Street hideaway. Check out Dukes 92 next time you're looking for a chilled out drink, as this sprawling space is suited to all occasions.
Come for the tapas but stay for the stunning roof terrace, as Simon Shaw's glorious restaurant offers more than the usual Spanish fare. Alongside confit pork belly and chargrilled octopus, you'll be able to enjoy sangria, aperitifs and all kinds of cocktails at El Gato Negro.
From their signature rosemary chips to the signature patties, Honest Burgers is a true staple up and down the country. Their Manchester outpost is no exception, as the chilled out spot promises stripped-back interiors and calming vibes from a stunning rooftop terrace.
The Oast House is a charming pub known for its beautiful winter tipis and sun-soaked beer garden in the summer, meaning it makes the list of best outdoor bars in Manchester all year long. Head over to the Spinningfields spot for hanging kebabs, seasonal fare and BBQ bites, all washed down with hoppy brews.
Inspired by both American bar culture and Manchester's colourful past, The Liquor Store is one of the city's quirkiest bars. Take the edge off with your favourite tipple, or grab a potent cocktail, before heading outside to lounge around on their terrace.
The Lawn Club is a staple of outdoor Spinningfields bars, offering a cool location for after-work drinks, alfresco date nights and group hangouts. This place can be found in Hardman Square; boasting deckchairs on their spacious and sunny lawn, as well as a pretty terrace, greenhouses and a wide choice of drinks, including their refreshing range of summer spritzes.
With outdoor Manchester bars often being as bustling as the city itself, it can be hard to find the perfect spot to drink in open air. But that's where Banyan comes in. Not only is it fronting some of the best cocktails around, but also a south-facing terrace for chowing down and drinking up.
The Old Wellington, aka The Welly, is a charming pub in Manchester with outdoor seating that makes you feel like you've stumbled across a secret garden. Found in a square that's tucked away from the busy city streets, it's a cosy spot for sipping refreshments and chowing down.
For a fun day out with friends or family, Freight Island in The Depot, Mayfield, offers the perfect blend of delicious food, refreshing drinks, and entertainment.
With 11 different food vendors serving everything from mouthwatering burgers to vibrant Mexican dishes, you'll be spoilt for choice. Grab a seat in their spacious indoor or outdoor areas and enjoy the lively atmosphere, or head to one of the five bars for a cold craft beer or tequila cocktail.
The Alchemist's waterfront MediaCity spot offers some seriously good outdoor drinking in Manchester. Better yet, you can prepare for cocktails that fizz, bubble, smoke and come to life right before your eyes.
Enjoy classic Italian cocktails while taking in the beautiful surrounds at Tre Ciccio in Altrincham. Along with spritzes and short drinks, this restaurant and bar is offering delicious wines, draught beer and plenty of authentic grub to guests on its terrace.
From an old auction house to a super cool industrial venue and live music bar, YES has been on quite the journey. Standing tall on Charles Street, this place also boasts one of the best beer gardens in Manchester and a roof terrace.
What happens when you add an exclusive rooftop members' club to one of the city's hottest hotels? Venture to Hotel Gotham's Club Brass to find out. Think panoramic citywide views, fabulous service and a cracking menu of cocktails.
Lover of all things gin? Then you'll want to get Atlas Bar on your radar. This underrated watering hole not only has a huge list of juniper-laced sprits, but also a quaint, hidden terrace for making sure you catch any rays.
Sure, the Ivy may be renowned for its beaut brasserie and other jaw-dropping interiors, but have you seen their rooftop? Filled with Insta-worthy decor and a glowing bar top, this is your spot for classy cocktails, wines, beers and food, from day to night.
An affordable favourite, Rain Bar has been a city staple for years, thanks to its large terrace and canalside location. Stocking pints from local breweries, alongside big brand favourites, this is the ideal space for sinking a cold one on a summer's day.
Manchester's very own two-storey waterside retreat offers some of the most stunning views. Come rain or shine, get yourself down to The Wharf to enjoy a glass from their collection of over 50 wines and 100 malts on the outdoor patio.
Offering botanical bliss under the stars, The Dakota Grill's terrace space makes for one romantic date night location. With heaters in the winter and sun tanning opportunities in the summer, it's a solid all-rounder if you're looking to grab a drink in the great outdoors.
From a cool nano brewery to Miami Ice, which crosses a beach bar with 80s disco, there are plenty of cool traders at Hatch Manchester. When you want outdoor drinks in a shipping container complex, this Oxford Road destination has just the thing.
As its name would suggest, this stripped-back watering hole is one of the best bars in Manchester's Northern Quarter with outdoor seating. Head to Thomas Street, where you'll find Terrace NQ fronting bare brick walls and simplistic furniture coupled with alfresco craft beers, wines and G&Ts.
Yes — several of Manchester's best outdoor bars are designed for all-weather use, with covered, heated or sheltered spaces that make outdoor drinking viable even in winter. YES on Charles Street has a half-covered roof terrace that stays open year-round alongside its beer garden. The Dakota Grill's terrace has heaters for winter and sun-trap potential in summer, making it one of the most reliable all-season outdoor options.
Lock 91's canalside terrace, with views over the Deansgate Locks waterway, is the most atmospheric: the converted lock keeper's cottage setting is distinctive. The Anthologist — Manchester's Channel 4 First Dates restaurant — has a lovely outdoor terrace for cocktails and gastro meals, with the added conversation starter of its TV heritage.
For groups, the key considerations are capacity, food availability and whether the outdoor space can accommodate everyone comfortably. Freight Island is the strongest group option — the indoor-outdoor layout, 11 food vendors and five bars mean large groups can spread out, eat different things and drink at their own pace without coordinating.
Lock 91 on Deansgate Locks is the most characterful — a converted 19th-century lock keeper's cottage with a terrace directly overlooking the water, frozen daiquiris, spritzes and craft beer, and a happy hour.
